Mark Roman was back on the 49ers' practice field Tuesday to the mild surprise of everyone — including Mark Roman.

The free safety was assumed to be a goner during an off-season in which he was granted permission to seek a trade. There was a nibble here and there, Roman said, but the right circumstances never came through.

So there he was Tuesday, the second day of organized team activities, wearing his familiar No. 26 and spending time at both free and strong safety.

"Obviously, the cards were dealt. The hand was played the way it was," Roman said.

While he was away, the 49ers gave away his starting spot. Dashon Goldson, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007, is penciled in at free safety. Still, the 49ers never closed the door on Roman's return. Coach Mike Singletary said repeatedly during spring workouts that the team wanted Roman back.

Goldson is now working himself back into shape after off-season surgery to remove bone spurs in his ankle.

Roman said, "I'm here and I'm happy to be here."

Roman, 32, has been a 49ers regular since signing as a free agent in 2006. Last season, he started all 16 games at free safety and the 49ers credited him with 63 tackles, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

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Though a smart, consistent player, Roman hasn't provided much of a spark: He has gone two seasons without an interception. His last interception came Dec. 14, 2006, when he picked off a throw by Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck in the third quarter.

It remains Roman's only interception in 48 games with the 49ers.

Now, he enters the season as the likely backup behind Goldson and strong safety Michael Lewis. Roman said that's fine with him. He's just glad to be back.

"Over the past few years, I've made some pretty good friendships with these guys," he said. "In all honesty, I'm just happy to be back in the locker room with my teammates building camaraderie, chemistry and getting ready to win."

Cornerback Nate Clements will be sidelined through the weekend because of what a team spokesman called a "mild case of pneumonia." That will keep him off the field during the mandatory mini-camp that runs Friday through Sunday. Clements will be re-evaluated Monday.

Team president Jed York will be an in-studio guest with host Greg Papa on "Chronicle Live" on Wednesday. The show will air live at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, with a replay at 11 p.m. The interview will be posted on www.csnbayarea.com.

A day after his first practice, receiver Isaac Bruce got the day off. Singletary wanted to go easy on the veteran's legs.

Ahmad Brooks turned an ankle during practice. But his ears might have hurt more. Singletary let the linebacker have it twice, including a blistering one-on-one session after the final horn. Singletary has been supportive of Brooks, but it's clear he wants the career underachiever to raise his game.